This story is copyright 2015 by Bruce George. All rights reserved.
Re-edited 2017
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[email protected] Excerpt from Book two of the Broken Soldier series
Starting from Scratch
The large shuttle slowly made its way toward the damaged transport. They moved with deliberate caution, not wanting to alarm the crew of the ship by rushing straight at them, at attack speed. When Mike looked at the transport on the viewing screen, he saw the huge hole in its side.
Bambi commed, That hole goes all the way through it, General. I calculate that the damage is severe. The engineering equipment has been nearly completely destroyed and there is a possibility that some damage was done to the computer housing. That might explain why the responses from the ship were not within the normal ranges of accepted computer behavior.
If the computer has been damaged, I suspect that the responses we received were generated by a live Sauran and not the computer. Sir, there is a distinct possibility that they are without the aid of their internal comm. If that’s the case, it is an extraordinary opportunity for us to achieve success.
Jo warned, I agree, Bambi. But, we are still going to face Sauran warriors and they will fight with their usual ferocity. I suggest we stick with the existing plan.
Mike added, “That’s exactly what we’re going to do. I can see where the Saurans losing comm would be an advantage for us, but not enough to drastically change the guidelines for this op. We’ll go in as we planned.”
Bambi told them, I’m being told to bring the shuttle in using our computer, which would be me, of course. This is highly unusual. In nearly every case, the ship’s computer takes control of all vehicles entering the ship for safety’s sake. It must mean the computer on this transport has been damaged. Here we go.
The shuttle slowly entered the hanger, revealing the large hole, where something had blown through the ship and the hanger. Two shuttles had been mangled by the shot and there were no robots in sight. That worried Mike.
Bambi, why don’t we see robots working on the damage?
General, it can only mean that that the Saurans have lost their comm with them.
The shuttle set down and an enormous set of doors began to move across the width of the deck, closing off the damaged portion of the hanger.
General, they’re pressurizing this part of the hanger and I’m being ordered to have you exit the shuttle and greet the Sauran who awaits you. Be sure to show the proper respect, sir.
It took nearly fifteen minutes for the closed off portion of the hanger to pressurize. Bambi pointed out that was very slow.
Mike, Wayne and Max slowly walked down the open ramp and entered the damaged transport. When a single Sauran approached them, they bowed deeply, showing him the maximum respect. The huge alien slapped Mike and kicked Wayne, before shoving Max to his knees.
“You are here to repair our environmental system. Has the appropriate information been downloaded to you?”
Mike commed, Yes, master.
“You must speak to me, using your stupid human voices. Once our computer has been repaired, we will use the comm. Do you understand, slave?”
Mike responded, “Yes, master.”
“Then don’t keep me waiting. Go and rebuild it.”
He slapped Mike again and asked, “Where are the food supplies you were told to bring?”
Mike’s short temper caused him to alter the original plans. He’d had enough and decided to make his move early. He angrily said, “I have some right here, master.”
He reached behind his back and brought out a plasma pistol. The Sauran moved with lightening speed and kicked it out of his hand, sending it flying across the floor of the hanger.
Wayne jumped at the hulking warrior and Max was right behind him, driving the creature to the deck. Mike’s hand hurt like hell, as he went to retrieve the gun. He heard Wayne scream and turned back to see his son’s head being twisted until his neck snapped. Mike’s mind went into combat mode, ignoring the emotional agony of his son’s death. He didn’t have the luxury of grieving just then. As Max struggled with the Sauran, Mike grasped the plasma weapon and put two shots into the alien’s head, nearly decapitating it.
He looked at Max and the man’s head exploded, as a powerful plasma round ended the life of his friend. He spun to his left, ducking immediately, as a shot went above his head. But, before he could aim his plasma pistol. A round caught him in the chest, driving him down to the deck, as he descended into darkness.
This story is copyright 2015 by Bruce George. All rights reserved.
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